Respiratory Therapist / Hawaii
2026 data Hawaii board official source

Hawaii Respiratory Therapist License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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Treats patients with breathing disorders. Requires TMC exam.

What the Hawaii data shows for Respiratory Therapists

Hawaii sets the entry bar for respiratory therapists at 2,289 training hours and a passing score on TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice). A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under Hawaii's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Associate Degree".

The initial price tag is $208, and renewal costs $168 every 2 years. Renewal isn't the end of the cost: 24 hours of continuing education are due every 2-year cycle, a recurring time commitment worth planning for.

On reciprocity, respiratory therapists should know: Respiratory Therapy Licensure Compact: adoption underway.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
41/100
Respiratory Therapist · Hawaii

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
2,289 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$208
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$84/yr
$168 every 2 years
Continuing Education C-
12.0 hrs/yr
24 hours every 2 years
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Hawaii

Education / Training Hours
Associate Degree
2,289 hours
Exam Requirement
TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice)
Required
Initial License Fee
$208
Renewal Fee
$168
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
24 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Respiratory Therapist All Hawaii licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Hawaii licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Respiratory Therapist in Hawaii? ▼
In Hawaii, the license path calls for 2289 education/training hours, a passing score on TMC Exam (Therapist Multiple-Choice), and a $208 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Respiratory Therapist in Hawaii? ▼
To become a licensed respiratory therapist in Hawaii, you must meet the state's requirements including 2289 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Hawaii licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Respiratory Therapist license to Hawaii from another state? ▼
For respiratory therapists, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: Respiratory Therapy Licensure Compact: adoption underway. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the Hawaii licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Hawaii require a background check for Respiratory Therapist licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the respiratory therapist licensing process in Hawaii. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Respiratory Therapist in Hawaii? ▼
To stay licensed as a respiratory therapist in Hawaii, plan on 24 hours of continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle; renewal itself runs $168.

Related Guides

What to do with this respiratory therapist license

Respiratory Therapist in Hawaii, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a respiratory therapist-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Hawaii's respiratory therapist requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Respiratory Therapist in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state respiratory therapist license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Hawaii's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Hawaii overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Hawaii licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.